In this episode, our hosts chat with two original members of the Black Staff Catering Team, Judy Sheehan, who created the role of Nikki Black, and Carolyn Scott, who created the role of Theresa Marie Black. In Part 1, Judy shares memories from the earliest Tony n’ Tina workshops in SoHo, including performing as the singing “gorilla gram,” playing Grandma, and later originating Nikki Block’s Walkman-wearing, punk-leaning attitude. She recalls how the show evolved over its first year, the demands of interactive performance, and stepping in last-minute to play Donna and sing with the band. Judy discusses the catering family dynamic, pre-show calm before the audience arrived, and how the company built community through elaborate celebrations and creative events. In Part 2, Carolyn reminisces about early days of working with Joanna and performing at Carmelita’s. They discuss how the show moved through cities, including a Canadian production that closed after three consecutive snowstorms, and a move to Los Angeles, and Carolyn’s subsequent 30-year career in Canada. They share behind-the-scenes stories like a catering-table mishap that dropped a pan of ziti and became a critic’s favorite “bit,” Carolyn’s cast caricatures, and how improvisation, intimacy, understudies, and the “black staff” shaped the show’s unique sense of family and lasting friendships. Tony n' Tina's Wedding: Creating a Theatre Tribe is a twice-a-month podcast that follows original NY director and later collaborators of the sensational Off-Broadway hit, Tony n' Tina's Wedding, that features interviews and memories of the show that created friends that became family world-wide. This podcast is produced by Virtual Arts, and edited by Christy Patti. Virtual Arts is a theatre and event company that connects artists and audiences globally to realize the full potential of online and in person productions by developing authentic works of hope, humor and humanity. We offer assistance, guidance and production value for online community outreach events that raise awareness and support families and artists world-wide. Website: virtualartsproductions.org Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tonyntinaswedding.podcastfacebook.com/VirtualArtsProds Instagraminstagram.com/tonyntinasweddingpodcastinstagram.com/virtual.arts.prods #offbroadway #podcasts #virtualarts
